negative

neg•a•tive

[[t]ˈnɛg ə tɪv[/t]] adj. n. adv. v. -tived, -tiv•ing, interj.

1) expressing or containing negation or denial:

a negative response to the question[/ex]

2) refusing consent, as to a proposal:

a negative reply to my request[/ex]

3) expressing refusal or resistance:

a negative attitude about cooperating[/ex]

4) cvb unfavorable:

negative criticism[/ex]

5) prohibitory, as a command or order

6) lacking positive attributes (opposed to positive):

a negative character[/ex]

7) lacking in constructiveness, helpfulness, optimism, or the like:

a negative approach to problem solving[/ex]

8) being without rewards, results, or effectiveness:

a search of the premises proved negative[/ex]

9) phs math. Math.

a) involving or noting subtraction; minus

b) measured or proceeding in the direction opposite to that which is considered as positive

10) pht Photog. noting an image in which the brightness values of the subject are reproduced so that the lightest areas are shown as the darkest

11) elm

a) of or pertaining to the electric charge of a body that has an excess of electrons

b) (of a point in a circuit) having lower potential, therefore drawing the flow of current

12) Med. failing to show a positive result in a diagnostic test

13) chem. Chem. (of an element or group) tending to gain electrons and become negatively charged; acid

14) phl Physiol. responding in a direction away from the stimulus

15) phs of, pertaining to, or noting the S pole of a magnet

16) pho logic (of a proposition) denying the truth of the predicate with regard to the subject

17) a negative statement, answer, word, gesture, etc.:

The ship signaled back a negative[/ex]

18) a refusal of assent:

to answer a request with a negative[/ex]

19) the negative form of statement

20) one or more persons arguing against a resolution, statement, etc., esp. a team in a formal debate

21) a negative quality or characteristic

22) cvb disadvantage; drawback:

a brilliant plan with only one negative[/ex]

23) math. Math.

a) a minus sign

b) a negative quantity or symbol

24) pht Photog. a negative image, as on a film, used chiefly for making positives

25) archaic a veto, or right of veto

26) cvb (used to indicate a negative response):

“You won't come with us?”“Negative.”[/ex]

27) to deny; contradict

28) to refute or disprove (something)

29) to refuse assent or consent to; veto

30) to neutralize or counteract

31) cvb (used to indicate disagreement, denial of permission, etc.)

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Etymology: 1350–1400; ME negatif < MF < L negātīvus denying neg′a•tive•ly, adv.